LA Angels of Anaheim pitcher Kelvim Escobar is ready to return to the team, as he'll be activated off the disabled list, effective Tuesday. Escobar has been on a rehabilitation assignment following surgery to remove bone chips from his ailing right elbow, a procedure which has kept him sidelined since early June. Escobar has been limited to just seven starts this season. The 29-year-old also had bone chips taken out his elbow in 1997 while with the Toronto Blue Jays. Escobar was placed on the DL after leaving a June 8 start against Atlanta after just 4 1/3 innings. He owns a 2-2 record with a 3.54 ERA this year and has recorded 46 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings. The hard-throwing righty also missed the season's first three weeks with elbow pain. A nine-year veteran, Escobar signed as a free-agent with the Angels prior to the 2004 campaign and posted an 11-12 record along with a career-high 191 strikeouts. The native Venezuelan also set personal bests with 33 starts and 208 1/3 innings pitched. The Angels also recalled left-hander Joe Saunders and catcher Jeff Mathis from Triple-A Salt Lake. Infielder Lou Merloni will be recalled from rehab, but will not be activated. He's been sidelined with torn ligaments in his right ankle. The Angels enter Tuesday's action holding a 1 1/2-game lead on Oakland atop the AL West.